Morris Animal Foundation

About Heidi Flammang

Chat with Heidi Flammang, owner of Camp Bow Wow, the nation’s largest dog day and overnight boarding facility, about what to look for in a care facility and how to socialize your dog. Questions and their answers are listed with the most recent first. Click here to ask a question of your own.

If Heidi Flammang had a tagline, it would be “it’s all about the dogs.” When Heidi was 25, she and her husband Bion were visiting her father’s flooring business in Colorado, when a doggie kennel moved into the warehouse next door. Passionate dog lovers, Heidi and Bion formulated a plan for developing a doggie day care facility that was really all about the dogs, a place where pet parents would feel comfortable leaving their furry kids for a day or overnight stay. Shortly thereafter, Bion died in a tragic plane crash, and Heidi’s life changed completely.

While the pain and suffering of losing her true love was overwhelming, in 2000 Heidi’s brother decided to help her realize her and Bion’s dream. They opened their first Camp Bow Wow location in Denver, CO, and shortly thereafter, a second location in Broomfield, CO. One of their clients suggested looking into franchising, and they began this process in 2003. Today there are 45 Camp Bow Wow franchises open across the US, with another 40 or so to open by the end of 2007. Overall, they’ve sold more than 185 franchises across the US and Canada, with the model being true to her passion: “where a dog can be dog.” Camp Bow Wow has been called “The Ritz” of doggy day care, designed to provide the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its campers and peace of mind for their parents.

claudia asks:

My family has recently rescueda puppy. Before the puppy was brought to the house we found out that the other dogs living in the same household would bite the poor puppy and take its food away. So it is malnutrition, once we got the puppy, but it doesnt want to eat at our house as well. In order for us to see a vet we must make an appointment. My question is what can we do until our appointment with the vet to help the puppy eat?

Denise asks:

My dog, 5yr Aussie male, has developed an aggression towards puppies, generally under a year old. He was extremely well socialized as a pup with daily, problem free visits to our local dog park and on leash meet and greets around the neighborhood. One day when he was about 3, we entered the park. There was a new puppy running around which I went over to pet. Out of the blue my dog attacked him. At the time I wondered if he was jealous. Although it seemed like a one off, over time my dog became more unpredictable around young dogs to the point I stopped going to the park. It is to the point now that I can 100% guarantee my dog will attack a puppy if given the chance.
He is totally fine with older dogs and extremely friendly with people. I have never had a problem with either although he has given a warning growl when another dog has picked up one of his toys – but it never escalated into a fight. I have tried to desensitize him, put him in a sit or down if a puppy is approaching. He does not run or lunge at the pups but will actually slowly approach and sniff but always with a locked stare. Then boom! Although I am only guessing, I somehow feel the trigger is when the pup looks at him??? So my question is, is this dominance aggression? Why would it only be directed at puppies? Can this be worked on in the absence of a young dog? I am afraid if I just avoid the problem it could eventually end in him being aggressive with all dogs. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Dana Krencicki asks:

I just adopted a male Great Dane/Hound puppy from an animal rescue. I already had a female Italian Greyhound and a male cat. My female dog has become very jealous of the new puppy and has been behaving very strangely. Firstly When I prt the new puppy she puts herself between the puppy and I and basically throws herself on me. She now follows me every where and if the puppy tries to socialize with me, she growls at him. She also steals every bone and treat away from him and then taunts him by cicling him with the treat in her mouth. If he tries to take it back, she growls at him. He is just affraid. Also she has begun to “hump” (for lack of a better word) the puppy, which is twice her size. She has never “hunped” anything or anyone before now. She also licks his penis A LOT! Which bothers me because she then tries to lick me. I don’t know how to stop all this behavior. She has been the only dog for a little over a year is this normal and how do I stop this? Now to the cat vs. the puppy. My puppy is horrified of my male cat. Firstly the cat spends the entire day stalking the puppy and at the first the chance attacks him. He will corner the puppy in a room and the puppy will bark and cry for my boyfriend and I to come and save him. Also, My Italian Greyhound and my cat were bestfriends before we got the new puppy. They would wrestle around and cuddle together daily. Now that the puppy is here my IG spends most of her time with puppy and tring to make sure he is not getting more attention from us than her. Also the cat is very devoted to my boyfriend, who works from home, so his is always there. Now that we have the puppy, the puppy is very devoted to my boyfriend and never leaves his side. I am wondering if the cat is also jealous and if his stalking and attacks on the puppy are a result of this. Please any advice you could give me would be wonderful. I just want to us to one big happy family. Thanks so much. Desperate Dana.

Rose asks:

I adopted a 6 yr. old Pug that did not alot of socialization with other dogs. I took her to doggy daycare and she did wonderful with a pack of little dogs. But when we walk together on leash, she goes crazy at other dogs. Why is that?

Mariel asks:

Hi. My dog is a maltese yorkie mix and is only 2 months old. When I walk him, he chases my sneakers and jumps on me and bites me. I tell him to stop but he doesn’t. I also say no in a stern voice. Still nothing. Another problem is at home. When I let him out of his cage at home, he chases everyone and goes crazy. If I try to carry him, he bites me. How can I stop him? Please help! He doesn’t follow me when I walk either.

Megan asks:

I have two adorable dogs, a 3 year old lab mix and a 1 year old cocker spaniel. After completing school, my son is moving home for a while, and bringing with him his 1 year old pitt bull/boxer mix. I am very nervous about how to introduce the dogs to each other and how they will get along. Particularly, with the reputation of pitt bulls for being aggresive, although my son assures me his is not. Do you have any suggestions or advice on how to navigate this process in a way that is best for all dogs and people involved?

Ginny asks:

Hi! I have a female german shepard mix that is the alpha in a house with myself and three other dogs. I also foster dogs. Gretel (her name) is so jealous of any attention that I give to any of the other dogs. I have been trying to do things to let her know that I am the alpha -leader of the pack, but she still has terrible jealousy issues. This isn’t so much with my foster pups as it is with one male in the house who she pulls on his tail constant. They have actually fought before…however, they do get along most of the time. Any suggestions on how to get her over the jealousy stuff? She is a little over a year old.
Thank you,
Ginny and four paws!

Heidi Flammang responds:

This is a great way to look at it…

For ages, many animal experts held that all dog behavior, including possible jealous tendencies, stemmed from instinct rather than emotions, but new research is proving that theory wrong. So, if you recently brought a new friend or another pet into your life, and your dog suddenly seems less than friendly, you may just have a jealous pooch on your hands.

Paul Morris, Ph.D., a psychologist and animal behavior expert at the University of Portsmouth in England, determined that certain animals, including dogs, experience a wide array of emotions. Along with jealousy, these emotions include anger, anxiety, surprise, pride, embarrassment and shame.

While cats, pigs, horses, rabbits and hamsters also seem to get jealous, dogs appear to feel this emotion more often and with greater intensity. Dog owners who were included in the study consistently reported that their dogs pushed in between themselves and third party rivals for their attention.

Scientists as of yet can’t communicate with dogs to know what they are truly feeling, but the evidence so far suggests that canine emotions — including jealousy — are comparable to what we experience.

“All we can do is look at behavior and context,” Morris said. “Both the behavior and the contexts observed are consistent with current scientific definitions of jealousy. I suspect that a highly social species such as the dog has a very developed repertoire of social emotions.”

He and others plan to study animal emotions more in future. Meanwhile, what should you do if you suspect your dog is feeling jealous? Here are a few guidelines:

1. Recognize the signs
Like a spurned lover, your dog will have a hard time containing itself if it feels jealous. Sulking, snarling, growling, fighting and sluggishness can be symptoms of jealousy. Some dogs even get so upset that they stop eating. In that case, be sure to schedule a veterinary check-up to rule out possible medical causes.

2. Maintain routines
You likely have a daily routine for interacting with your dog, even if you did not establish this routine consciously. Think back to what your schedule and habits were like before the new pet or person was introduced and, whenever possible, try to reestablish that pattern with your dog. Routine is important to your dog because its jealousy, in part, comes from fear of losing its place in your life. By continuing to feed, walk, and play with your dog according to a normal schedule, you reassure your pet of its place in your heart.

3. Give extra attention
Try to spend even more time with your dog than usual during the transitional period. If the subject of your dog’s jealousy is another person, encourage that individual to play, pet and otherwise positively interact with your dog as much as possible.

4. Reinforce basic training
Your dog thinks of you as part of its pack. Now it must share you with another individual. You must remain the leader, so gently show your dog who is boss by verbally scolding negative behavior as soon as it starts. At the same time, reward positive behavior with sweet talk, head rubs, and treats, especially if your dog makes an effort to socialize with your new pack member.

5. Empathize
Whether the object of your dog’s jealousy is a new pup or person, try to remember that from your dog’s perspective, it was with you first. Your dog has attempted to earn your loyalty and affection over the years, while sharing those same gifts with you. Its jealousy is actually a measure of how much it values both you and its position within your now-growing pack.

About The Author: Scott Rose , a columnist and contributor for pamperedpuppy.com, has also written for Modern Dog, New York Dog, Conde Nast Traveler and several other publications.

Kim asks:

HELP.......I have a 4 year old shih tzu who we got from a rescue 2 years ago. For the last 8 months or so he has begun a annoying habit of obsessive licking. I notice it when people come into our home, or at night when we first get into bed. Yes he does sleep with us. He does it for long periods of time, I tried distracting him, and also a herbal NutriCalm for dogs. Nothing has worked.

Heidi Flammang responds:

Here is a great response I found:

A little bit of licking is considered normal for dogs, but if it is excessive, there is definitely something wrong. If your pet is eating a good quality dog food and has normal stool production, then there is no vitamin or nutrient deficiency at play. Medical reasons could include viral infections, liver disease, anal gland infections, skin disorders, or other painful conditions. A visit to your veterinarian will help determine if your dog is suffering from any of these conditions.

In most situations, what you are describing is an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) like those seen in humans, such as nail biting or constantly washing your hands. The cause is usually anxiety, although it may be genetic. Doberman Pinschers are prone to sucking on their skin and causing lick granulomas (thick open sores), while German shepherds and bull terriers will compulsively chase their tails.

Obsessive licking is commonly associated with other nervous behavior, such as separation anxiety or noise phobias. One of my dogs licks her feet excessively any time I start packing for a vacation. The more suitcases I pack, the more aggressively she licks. She also freaks when large trucks pass on the street. OCD can be expressed as any repetitive behavior, and is just a cry for attention. Often it occurs just when we are preparing to leave for work or when we are using the telephone—any action that takes attention away from your pet may provoke the licking.

It would be helpful to videotape your pet while you’re away to see if the licking continues when he is alone. Often owners never actually see the pet licking themselves, and yet they have saliva stains up and down the front legs (a rusty, red discoloration). By giving attention, be it negative or positive, we reinforce the behavior. In other words, we would do best to ignore it altogether. Of course if it is severe, you will need to get involved and usually that requires using drugs combined with behavior modification. For separation anxiety we like to use clomipramine, fluoexetine, and the tricyclic antidepressants used in humans. Of course, these need to be prescribed by your vet.

If your pet suffers from separation anxiety, behavior modification is achieved by changing the way you leave the house. For example, try changing the door you leave from if possible, using the front door instead of the garage. Try changing the order in which you eat breakfast, get dressed, clean up, etc. Dogs observe and measure everything we do. By watching us repeat the same rituals every day they can tell if we are going out for the entire day or just out to get a newspaper. Try and outsmart them by altering the pattern.

Since licking is a cry for attention, it may mean your pet is not getting enough. Make an attempt to provide more exercise, more play time, and more love if you’re not already doing so.

Dr. Peter Kross, DVM, has had his own veterinary practice, the Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, since 1989. He lives in Manhattan with his three white boxers, Buchanan, Wilhelmina and Laila.

Donna Fernandez-Abshere asks:

Heidi:

A friend of mine has a 4 year old female Blue Lacy that has just been diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). She is currently being treated with Prednisone and an antiobiotic, but the future treatment is difficult to speculate especially since the Blue Lacy does not have any known diseases and/or illnesses. Do you have any suggestions on where we could go for assistance with treatment with a rare breed?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Donna – again, CSU is a great resource – try calling the consult line at 970-297-4195. Hope this helps!

bUCK asks:

I have a 18 month old st bernard that had a spindle cell tumor removed from his mouth about a month ago. its growing back again and the vet said that he couldnt do anything thing for him.is there any kind of treatment in medicane that we can give him to live longer then 3 to 6 month like we were told

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Buck – I’m so sorry…I would contact the consultation line at Colo State University’s vet school – the number is 970-297-4195 – good luck….

Gerald Gallant asks:

Hi there!

I have 2 three-year-old female scottish terriers. They’re reasonably well behaved, but there is one issue I would like your feedback on. Once in a while, not often, when we’re walking them on leash and we meet another dog or another person, one of my girls goes haywire. Like I said, it only happens once in a while.

My girls have been going to doggy daycare at least once a week since they were three months old. They get along very well with other dogs. We’ve never had an issue with them at daycare.

I’m wondering if she’s trying to protect me. Any idea how I should deal with this issue?

Thank you.

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Gerald – sounds like she is absolutely trying to protect you. Working with a trainer would be best – we recommend Bark Busters (www.barkbusters.com) but you could ask your local humane society – or your doggy day care – for a recommendation. Check out this link also…

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Canine-Behavior-3553/dog-aggressive-dog.htm

carole asks:

Hi Heidi,i adopted a 9 year old female cocker from a rescue in Georgia where she was for the last 2&1/2 years.she spent most of that time in a cage.
i have 2 males;9 yrs cocker & 12 yrs poodle.At first every thing was fine.Then one night while we were watching tv Shea began to growl at the other dogs?
Very scary growling!
This has now begun in my bedroom,where we like to congregate.If anyone walks by or walks in Shea growls & barks ferociously,Shea is 20 lbs.she has bitten me twice.
once called for a trip to the emergency room.i hired a
trainer who wouldn’t work “with dogs that bite”?
i called the rescue where i found Shea.Voila’they know nothing about any biting from Shea?
I’ve grown to love Shea. 99% of the time she is so sweet
& adorable & i could not allow her to live in a cage again.
We seem to be making a little progress. We don’t allow her to ever be the Alpha Dog etc.She loves her new crate
with bedding.
We just can’t walk into the my bedroom as she seems to be guarding it.Sometimes she & I are alone in the bedroom
and she might start growling at me for no apparent reason???
That has been abating slowly.
Please,Heidi,do you have any advice for me regarding Shea?
I bought the Pet Best ins.I couldn’t for stuie my poodle as he’s getting chemo-therapy right now.
I do plan to donate to the cancer studies affiliated with Pet Best Ins.
Thank you very much
Carole Sciallo

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Carole – I am not an expert in dog behavioral training but I would suggest if the trainer you worked with didn’t solve the problem to research some others. Your local humane society should have some folks they can refer you to as they deal with these issues often. Also check out the following web site – good luck!!

http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/ccp51/cc/dog-behaviour/resource-guarding.shtml

yvonnie asks:

Hi, My rottweiler puppy was accidently hit by a car. She is 8 weeks old. I’ve taken her to 2 veternarians and they estimate the cost of her surgeries to be $4000 at least or more. Both of them recommended putting her to sleep. She is 8 weeks old and weighs about 14 pounds. We have named her Berry. The second veternarian said that she is not in any pain and recommends taking our time to put her to sleep. We are very much against putting her to sleep. I am a stay at home mom and my husband and I have 7 children. We do not have the funds for her surgery, but we still don’t want to put her to sleep. Berry back to legs are broken and she has a hernia. She has no internal injuries. Berry uses her two front legs to walk around and to use the bathroom. She even tries to walk with three of her legs. Berry has alot of fight in her. I don’t know what else to do. Can please offer me some advice? It has been 1 week now that Berry has been hit by a car.

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi there – I’m so sorry to hear about your pup! Harrison Memorial Hospital in Denver does low cost vet care and could help, but I’m not sure where you live? You can also see the link below – there are some great suggestions…good luck and let me know if you can’t find a solution, I’ll research some others.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/what_you_can_do_if_you_are_having_trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html

Sutonia Paul asks:

My sister has taken her dog, which is a rotweiler to two vetenarians due to damages to her hind legs. The dog, who’s name is Strawberry was diagnoised with two broken hind legs. They were told that the surgery would be at lest 4,000 dollars not including some therapy after the surgery. They also have suggested putting the puppy to sleep, which is 8wks old, this is a last resort for my sister and is trying to find a sponsor for Strawberry. Do you have any resources or suggestions.

Heidi Flammang responds:

see above

Joan Weston asks:

can you please let me know of any ongoing or completed studies which are examining the behavioral fallout and manifestation of stress from the use of positive punishment or excessive corrections in training.

thank you;
Joan W

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Joan – I asked several industry experts and several suggested you peruse the IAABC website www.iaabc.org

Another expert referenced a study, “Considerations for shock and ‘training’ collars: Concerns from and for the working dog community.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , Pages 103 – 107

Finally, another expert commented, “The e-collar is the only standardized aversive stimulus that could be used in a comparable manner across trainers and dogs. There is one clean study in horses where they contrasted horses that learned specific tasks with food reinforcement and those that learned the same tasks by moving away from pressure. Both groups of horses were comparable in their learning although the food reward horses showed some behaviors that suggested a positive conditioned emotional response (spending more time at the front of their stalls, higher heart rates in anticipation of training sessions, etc.). Again that’s negative reinforcement but you can’t use positive punishment to train a behavior and so it’s unlikely that a study could be conducted cleanly on the use of punishment in a training context.”

Hope that helps!

hjeter asks:

Last year I heard a lot about canine flu. Is this still a big problem?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Researchers are hard at work on a cure or vaccine but yes, it’s still out there. We haven’t seen any cases involved with our Camps but have heard of cases in certain areas through veterinarians. You can read more about canine ful at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318124104.htm

Tina asks:

Are there any dogs not allowed at your camps? My dog is pretty small and I don’t want him to freak out.

Heidi Flammang responds:

It’s based on how they do in the interview process – if they are too possessive, aggressive or shy/unhappy there we will recommend another alternative! Your small pup will be playing with other pups his size and temperament so he’ll have a wonderful time!

surfdog asks:

My dog is old and still intact, he loves to play with other dogs and there has never been any "problems" at the dog parks. I'd love to bring him to a more controlled environment though, is that an issue at doggie daycare?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi SurfDog!

Unfortunately at our Camps, dogs over 6 months of age must be spayed and neutered...but there are other dog day cares and facilities that would accept your pup - probably not an all day play environment but at least some controlled group play. You might also consider a dog walker that will come to your home and take your pup to the local dog parks for you during the day!

woofwoof asks:

What would a typical day at Camp Bow Wow consist of?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi woofwoof!

A typical day at Camp is filled with games of chase, romping with friends, lounging in the sun, playing in the paw pools and hanging out with their favorite Camp Counselors getting lots of love! You can watch your pup's activities by logging on to the public accessible live Camper Cams - beware, you'll get addicted to tracking your dogs fun!

hjeter asks:

What kind of vaccinations does my dog need to have before going to Camp Bow Wow or a similar doggie day care?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Hjeter!

Your dog will need Rabies, Distemper and Bordatella vaccinations before they can play in a day care environment. The Bordatella vaccination protects against Canine Cough - a type of doggy cold that is very contagious - but please know that it doesn't guarantee your dog won't get it...the vaccine only covers about 60% of the strains of bacteria that cause the infection.

You can also consider Frontlne or Advantix to protect against fleas and the Giardia vaccination if you are in an area where Giardia is common (like Colorado!).

Each Dog Day Care's requirements are different so check with the one you'll be attending but Camp Bow Wow requires the ones mentioned in the first paragraph.

Blakely asks:

Hi Heidi, My dog is elderly and while he likes to play with other dogs, he needs lots of rest. He also has to take medicine twice a day. Can Camp Bow Wow cater to his needs?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Blakely!

Yes, we absolutely can help out your older furry friend...we have a Small Dog/Old Dog Lounge that allows for our older pups to have a lot of breaks and take it easy when they need to. Camp Bow Wow Camp Counselors are experienced in administering medications and we do not charge extra for doing so.

Kelly asks:

My dog sometimes gets aggressive around other dogs and I am nervous to leave him at day care. How can I see if he might be able to spend time at day care?

Heidi Flammang responds:

Hi Kelly!

A lot of dogs act very differently in a day care environment than when they are around you. You can certainly try doggy day care for your pup, just make sure to visit a facility that has a temperament test and trial process. Be honest with them about his/her issues and make sure you feel comfortable that they know how to deal with dogs that have aggression issues. Most successful day cares are good at evaluating pups and testing the waters in a play environment. It may just help your furry friend become more social and less grumpy around other dogs. Good luck!

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